Communication device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to apparatus and method for providing two-way communication between two users. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a way in which communication between two users can occur whereby one of the users is given the impression that the communication they are having is with an everyday object such as teddy bear or child&#39;s doll.

The present invention relates to apparatus and method for providingtwo-way communication between two users. In particular, but notexclusively, the invention relates to a way in which communicationbetween two users can occur whereby one of the users is given theimpression that the communication they are having is with an everydayobject such as a teddy bear or childs doll.

It is well known that toys provide a great learning tool for teachingyoung children or those with learning disabilities. However, most toyssuch as teddy bears, dolls or action figures rely upon the usersimagination for many of the games played and thus the lessons which canbe learnt. Education, discipline and development of children in earlyyears is thus often limited by their own limitations.

Some toys are known which provide for some interaction between the childand the toy. For example radio controlled cars which use a mastertransmitter and a slave receiver allow a child to control the motion ofa toy. Alternatively some toys provide a way in which a child caninteract with a toy which will respond with a number of predeterminedresponses such as beeps or flashing lights. The responses from suchinteractive toys are limited as will be known by those skilled in theart.

Learning in a child or person with learning difficulties such as adisabled person may be restricted as a result of a problem with therelationship between the learner and the teacher. For example there areoccasions when children will not listen to their parents. As a resultteaching of manners and discipline such as doing homework, tidying up,stopping children crying and encouraging them to eat food can berestricted.

Another problem is that on some occasions a parent or guardian may needto leave a child or learner unaccompanied in a room whilst the guardianattends to some other matter. Under such circumstances it is known thata child may be in danger as they may interact with household objectswhich may cause them harm. In addition if such a guardian is forced toleave a child alone any learning in which the child is involved must beterminated until the guardian returns.

It is an aim of embodiments of the present invention to mitigate atleast partially the above-referenced problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is providedapparatus for providing two-way communication between a first user and afurther user comprising:

a master communication device; and

a slave communication device, disguised as an everyday object, andincluding circuitry means for enabling said two-way communication viasaid master communication device; wherein

said slave communication device is disguised so that when said two-waycommunication is in progress, said first user will believe that saidcommunication is between said first user and said everyday object.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provideda method for providing two-way communication between a first user and afurther user comprising the steps of:

providing a slave communication device, disguised as an everyday object,and a master communication device arranged for two-way communicationtherebetween;

providing said further user with access to only said mastercommunication device and said first user with access to only said slavedevice; and

transmitting and receiving at least one communication signal over awireless communication link between said master and slave devices;whereby

by virtue of the disguise of said slave communication device the two-waycommunication will appear, to said first user, to be between said firstuser and said everyday object.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided amethod for promoting learning in a learner user comprising the steps of:

providing a slave communication device disguised as an everyday objectand a master communication device;

transmitting and receiving at least one communication signal over awireless communication link between said master device and said slavedevice; whereby

a further user having access to only said master device can communicate,via said communication link, with said learner user having access toonly said slave device thereby promoting learning in said learner user.

Embodiments of the present invention provide the advantage that aguardian or parent can speak from a master unit through a toy or othereveryday object giving the child the impression that the toy is talkingand that that child (or other person with learning difficulties) ishaving a one to one conversation with the everyday object. This can be avery powerful tool for the education, discipline and development ofchildren in their important years because if children will not listen totheir parents they may listen to their favourite character such as theirteddy bear.

Embodiments of the present invention provide the advantage that theslave communication device through which a child communicates is acomputer having a monitor or other screen which enables a wide range ofselectable characters to be chosen with which a child may interact. Inthis way the communication device is disguised so that the child thinkscommunication is occurring with the displayed character.

Embodiments of the present invention provide the possibilities forchildren to be taught manners, discipline such as doing homework,tidying up, stopping children crying and encouraging them to eat food.This may be done whilst the child is alone in a room whilst their parentor guardian may be elsewhere carrying out another function and will onlylisten to their child or may observe them on a video unit.

Embodiments of the present invention enable parents to have anunlimited, natural and spontaneous dialogue with their child throughtheir childs favourite toy. Since the parent or guardian or otherteacher communicates through the toy via a two-way communication linkthe toy is inherently allowed to speak in any language. Embodiments ofthe present invention include, in a slave communication device locatedinside the everyday object, a voice alteration mechanism so that theparent or guardian's voice is disguised so that the child will notrecognise it.

Embodiments of the present invention provide the advantage that themaster and slave communication devices may be used as baby alarms or,when a child has outgrown the system it may be used as a useful way forusers to communication between rooms in a house.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detailhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates use of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a master communication device;

FIG. 3 illustrates an everyday object in which is located a slavecommunication device;

FIG. 4 illustrates a control panel on the master communication device;

FIG. 5 illustrates components of the circuitry in the slavecommunication device;

FIG. 6 illustrates a portion of the master communication device;

FIG. 7 illustrates a portion of the everyday object disguising the slavecommunication device;

FIG. 8 illustrates two-way communication between a child and a parent;and

FIG. 9 illustrates parts of a PC.

In the drawings like reference numerals refer to like parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates an imaginary location in a house and is meant toillustrate two rooms 10 and 11 separated by a wall 12. It will beunderstood that embodiments of the present invention are not limited touse in such an environment. A first user 13 such as a child or personsuffering from a learning disability is placed in room 11 whilst afurther user 14, such as a parent or guardian is located away from thechild 13. An everyday object 15 such as a childs teddy bear or doll islocated with the child. A video camera 16 is arranged to provide a viewof the room where the child is located. The view is displayed on themonitor 17 which may be observed by the parent. It will be understoodthat embodiments of the present invention may be used without the videoand monitor link in which situation the parent may either discreetlyobserve a child through a window or by being located in the same room asthe child in a hidden way. Alternatively a parent may not have a view ofthe child but will only communicate with the child through a mastercommunication device 18.

The master communication device 18 may be seen in more detail in FIG. 2and includes a microphone 20 into which a parent can speak. A speaker 21which enables a voice of a child speaking to the everyday object 15 tobe relayed to the parent. An on/off switch 22 and a userinterface/control panel 23. The control panel 23 is described in moredetail with reference to FIG. 4 below. The master communication device18 also includes an antenna 24 and communication signal transmitting andreceiving means to enable a voice of the parent to be transmitted viathe microphone 20 and antenna 24 to a receiver and circuitry in theslave device located in the everyday object 15 which can translate thereceived communication signal into an audible voice via a speaker. Itwill be understood that the master communication device could beprovided in any form or unit and may include a headset which a parent orguardian 14 could wear for prolonged use. Embodiments of the presentinvention may include an LED to indicate whether the mastercommunication device is on or off.

FIG. 3 illustrates a childs teddy bear as an example of a typical toywhich maybe used to house a slave communication device. A teddy bear isselected as being a toy common to both sexes. Alternatively a toysoldier or childs doll may be used. It will be understood that thepresent invention is not limited to disguising the slave communicationdevice as a toy. Rather a broad range of everyday objects maybe utilisedso that a child would be under the impression that they were having aconversation with that everyday object when a parent was speaking tothem via the master communication device. The teddy bear 15 includes abody portion which disguises the circuitry required by the slavecommunication device to enable two-way communication with the mastercommunication device. The disguise may be formed from a plastic or furcovering or other material and may include an internal framework toprovide a predetermined shape to the everyday object. The body portionof the disguise covers substantially all of the slave communicationdevice so that it will not be obvious to a learner user that suchcomponents exist. The teddy bear 15 includes movable eyes 30, a movablemouth piece 31 and a movable limb such as a paw 32. In order to movethese movable portions mechanical drive units may be provided in the toyas will be known by those skilled in the art. The movable portions ofthe disguise can be synchronised to move in time with the voice of theparent or guardian as they talk. Alternatively movement may bespecifically provided for by providing movement control buttons on theuser interface 23 of the master communication device.

A charging connection 33, which is shown in more detail in FIG. 7, isprovided so that power to the slave communication device may berecharged at a convenient moment. An LED 34 may be provided to indicatewhether the slave communication device is on or off. This will bediscreetly placed, such as for example within a fold of the teddy bearsskin or may be omitted completely.

An on/off control 35 is also provided as a button disguised as a part ofthe body of the toy 15. A parent or guardian may discreetly turn theslave communication device on or off by pressing this button without thechild being aware of the subterfuge.

FIG. 4 illustrates the user interface 23 of the master communicationdevice 18 in more detail. The user interface includes a system on/offcontrol 40 which controls whether the master communication device is onor off. A movement control selection switch 41 is also provided whichcan disable or enable movement of the various moving parts of the teddybear. A volume control 42 is also provided which can control the volumeof the speaker 21 of the master communication unit. Othersynchronisation switches 43 and 44 may be provided to disable lipsynchronisation or arm synchronisation respectively to the parentsvoice.

FIG. 5 illustrates internal parts of the teddy bear comprising the slavecommunication device 50.

The communication unit 50 is housed within the body of the teddy bearwhich thus acts as a disguise so that a child would be unaware of theunits presence. In this way a parents voice, or parents disguised voice,emitted from the speaker 51 of the slave communication device willappear to come from the teddy bear rather than from the parent. Theslave communication device 50 includes an antenna 52 from which acommunication signal can be transmitted to the antenna 24 of the mastercommunication device or signals from that master communication devicecan be received at the slave communication device. An on/off switch 53is controlled by a user pressing button 35 on the teddy bear. A volumecontrol 54 permits the volume emitted by the speaker 51 to be controlledthus selecting the volume which the child hears coming from the toy. Amicrophone 55 detects the voice of a child talking to the teddy bearwhich can then be transmitted to the master communication unit so thatthe parent can hear what the child is saying.

FIG. 6 illustrates a charger connection point 60 on the mastercommunication device which enables a battery in that device to berecharged. A headset connection point 61 may also be provided on themaster communication device which enables a headset to be plugged in tofacilitate easy use by a parent over a prolonged period. As noted aboveFIG. 7 illustrates a portion of the teddy bear 15, such as a paw, whichincludes a charging connection to enable a battery, not shown, in theslave communication device 50 to be recharged.

The master communication device 18 includes all the electronic circuitryand controls for operation by a parent. It includes a transmitter whichmay be used to communicate with the toy 15 to control movement of one ormore movable parts of the toy. In addition the master communicationdevice includes a two channel transmitter/receiver which is used forvoice communication between itself and the slave communication device50. In like manner the slave communication device 50 includes circuitryhoused in the body of an everyday object such as a teddy bear andincludes circuitry for a two channel voice transmitter/receiver whichenables two-way conversation between a child talking into or at theteddy bear and a parent using the master communication device. Thecircuitry which may be housed in a housing of the slave communicationunit 50 may include voice synchronisation circuitry.

FIG. 8 illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention inwhich the slave communication device is a personal computer (PC) 80which includes a monitor or TV screen 81 connected to a processing unit82 via a connecting wire 83. The monitor displays images to a childaccording to signals generated by the computer processing unit 82. Thedisplayed images are of a character which the child will believe it istalking to. The processing unit 82 includes a transceiver 84 which canbe used to send and receive signals via a wireless interface to a parentor further user 14 via a master communication device 18. The furtheruser 14 may be in an adjacent room or other zone from the child 13 asindicated by sectional line 85. In this way the PC and monitor aredisguised to the extent that a child or other person with learningdisabilities can be made to think they are having a conversation with acharacter displayed on the user interface screen. It will be understoodthat a broad range of characters may be displayed on a screen in thisway. In particular if a child or other user has a favourite characterthen the PC may be provided with an application to be run on the PCgenerating images of this character on the screen.

FIG. 9 illustrates the processing unit 82 of the PC 80 in more detail.The PC includes a processing unit 90 which receives input signals from atransceiver control unit 91 via connection 92. The transceiver controlcircuit is connected to the transceiver 84, which may be an antenna, viaconnection 93. When a parent or secondary user using the mastercommunication device 18 speaks the speech patterns are encoded in themaster communication device and transmitted over the wirelesscommunication link to the antenna 84. The signals are decoded in thecircuitry 91 and the signals supplied to the processing unit 90. Theprocessing unit accesses various applications 94 as will be understoodby those skilled in the art. One of these applications 95 providessoftware for generating the image signals to be displayed on the screenof monitor 81. The processor 90 is connected to a data store 96 and to aspeaker 97 which can output sounds such as a voice of the displayedcharacter. A microphone 98 is used to detect sounds such as the childsvoice in the environment around the PC. Output signals from theprocessing unit 90 to drive the images on the screen of the monitor 81are transferred to output 99 which may be connected to the monitor 81via cable 83 or via any other connection such as a blue toothconnection.

During use an image which will typically be a moving image of acharacter is displayed on the monitor and a child 13 can notionallyspeak to the image. The voice of the child is received by microphone 98and is transferred via the processing unit 90 and controller 91 toantenna 84 and thus to the master communication device with the parent14. The parent hears the voice of the child speaking to the image. Inresponse or indeed to initiate a child's reaction, the parent speaksinto the master communication device 18 and these signals aretransmitted to the PC antenna 84. Voice recognition software in the PCdetermines the words spoken by the parent and generates signals to makethe character react accordingly. These signals may control lip or eyemovements on a face of the character or other expressions and/or wordsor noises output by the speaker 97 which may be a copy of the parentsvoice (in which case voice recognition software is not required) or viaa computer generated voice pattern. In this way the PC is disguised insuch a way that the child believes that communication is betweenthemselves and the character displayed on the PC monitor.

It will be understood that in accordance with a further embodiment ofthe present invention the parent or further user 14 may be provided witha computer as the master communication device. The computer includes auser interface including a screen for displaying images, a microphonefor receiving voice signals from a user and at least one speaker forgenerating noises. The computer may be linked via a fixed connected orwireless connection to a further display screen in a region where achild or other person with learning disability is located. A stillfurther embodiment may be provided by the parent or further user beingprovided with a walkie talkie as a master communication device and afurther walkie talkie or two channel radio communicator being located inthe region where the child is located. The second walkie talkie or slavecommunication device may be itself disguised so that a child does notidentify it as a communication device. A two-way communication betweenthe slave and master communication device may take place asabove-described. A computer having a monitor or screen may be madereactive to voice output from the slave communication device. Voicerecognition software in the computer may be programmed to be reactive tothe parent or other authorised users voice patterns and an image of acharacter on the screen may be generated so that it appears to the childthat it is the character with which it is having a communication. Inthis way the character mimics the voice input of the parent as well asmovement of the character which may occur in accordance with commands orwords spoken by the parent.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a way in which a parent orguardian may talk to a child or a person with learning difficultiesthrough an everyday object such as a toy. By virtue of disguising aslave communication device the child will believe that they are having aconversation with the toy. The parent may monitor the child during aconversation using a video camera and monitor arrangement or may simplylisten to the child.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a means for reading abedtime story to a child without the presence of the parent in the room.This may get the child used to falling asleep without a parent beingpresent. It will be understood that in such a case the everyday objectmay be disguised as a book or any other night time related object.

It will also be understood that according to embodiments of the presentinvention a multitude of different body portions (or suits) may beprovided to selectively disguise the slave communication unit. A parentor guardian would need only to discreetly remove the communication unit50 from one disguise and place it in another selected disguise.

It will be understood that embodiments of the present invention canprovide an efficient learning aid. By virtue of a child being focussedon an everyday object seemingly talking and listening to the child thechilds attention can be maintained and learning promoted.

It will be understood that embodiments of the present invention may bemade of materials conforming to the Kite standards of safety forchildren's toys.

Whilst specific preferred embodiments of the present invention have beenabove described it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatthe present invention is not limited to the specifics described. Rathervariations and modifications may be envisaged without departing from thescope of the present invention.

1. Apparatus for providing two-way communication between a first user and a further user comprising: a master communication device; and a slave communication device, disguised as an everyday object, and including circuitry means for enabling said two-way communication via said master communication device said circuitry means comprising voice alteration means for disguising said further user's voice; wherein said slave communication device and said further user's voice is disguised so that when said two-way communication is in progress, said first user will believe that said communication is between said first user and said everyday object.
 2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: each communication device includes speaker means for providing an audible voice signal; microphone means for converting voice patterns of a user into a format for transmittal over a communication link as a communication signal; and communication signal transmitting and receiving means for respectively transmitting and receiving at least one communication signal.
 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the disguise of said slave communication device comprises an outer body portion surrounding substantially all of the circuitry of said slave communication device.
 4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said disguise includes at least one movable portion arranged to move independently with respect of said body portion of the disguise and includes means for moving said movable portion responsive to a movement control signal received from said master communication device.
 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said master communication device includes control means for generating and transmitting a movement control signal to said slave communication device.
 6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said slave communication device includes a power switch accessible without the need to remove said body portion.
 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said apparatus is disguised as a teddy bear.
 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said apparatus is disguised as a child's doll.
 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first user comprises a child and said further user comprises a parent or teacher.
 10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first user comprises a user with learning difficulties.
 11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said slave communication device comprises a computer including a user interface, said user interface including a screen for displaying an image of a character.
 12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said user interface further comprises at least one speaker member for producing audible sounds to said first user.
 13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 111 wherein said user interface further comprises at least one microphone for receiving audible sounds generated by said first user.
 14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the computer is arranged to display images which conceal the fact that a conversation is between said first user and said further user.
 15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said computer is optionally (i) a PC (ii) a laptop computer or (iii) a personal data assistant.
 16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said master communication device comprises a computer and said slave communication device comprises a screen for displaying an image of a character responsive to signals received from said computer.
 17. A method for providing two-way communication between a first user and a further user comprising the steps of: providing a slave communication device, disguised as an everyday object and including voice alteration means for disguising said further user's voice, and a master communication device arranged for two-way communication therebetween; providing said further user with access to only said master communication device and said first user with access to only said slave device; and transmitting and receiving at least one communication signal over a wireless communication link between said master and slave devices; whereby by virtue of the disguise of said slave communication device and said further user's voice the two-way communication will appear, to said first user, to be between said first user and said everyday object.
 18. The method as claimed in claim 17 further comprising disguising said slave communication device by the steps of surrounding substantially all of the circuitry of said slave communication device with a preformed body portion formed to look like said everyday object.
 19. The method as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18 further comprising, prior to said step of providing said further user with access to only said master communication device, providing said further user with access to said slave communication device during a period of time in which said further user may switch on power to the slave communication device.
 20. The method as claimed in claim 19 wherein said step of switching power on comprises pressing a button disguised on said slave communication device.
 21. The method as claimed in claim 17 wherein said steps of transmitting and receiving a communication signal comprises providing a two-channel radio service between said slave and master devices.
 22. The method as claimed in claim 17 further comprising: transmitting, from said master communication device, a movement control signal; receiving said movement control signal at said slave communication device; and moving at least one movable portion of said disguise independently with respect to said body portion on said disguise of said slave communication device responsive to said movement control signal.
 23. The method as claimed in claim 22 further comprising selecting a one from a plurality of movable portions of said disguise via said master communication device.
 24. A method for promoting learning in a learner user comprising the steps of: providing a slave communication device disguised as an everyday object and including voice alteration means for disguising a tutor's voice and a master communication device; transmitting and receiving at least one communication signal over a wireless communication link between said master device and said slave device; whereby a further user having access to only said master device can communicate, via said communication link, with said learner user having access to only said slave device thereby promoting learning in said learner user.
 25. The method as claimed in claim 24 wherein said learner user comprises a child and said further user comprises a parent or teacher.
 26. The method as claimed in claim 24 wherein said learner user comprises a user with learning difficulties.
 27. The method as claimed in claim 24 wherein said everyday object comprises a toy.
 28. (canceled)
 29. (canceled)
 30. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein voice alteration means disguises said further user's voice to sound like a predetermined character.
 31. The method as claimed in claim 17 further comprising disguising said further user's voice to sound like a predetermined character.
 32. The method as claimed in claim 24 further comprising disguising said tutor's voice to sound like a predetermined character. 